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Old Dueling Grounds in City Park, New Orleans, LA Showing De Lissue Le Bouisque Duel in 1841 These old oaks, famous in Louisiana legend and history as the dueling ground where Micajah Lewis, Secretary to Governor Claiborne, was killed in 1804. Here Emile LaSere, member of Congress from New Orleans, fought eighteen dues during his busy life. U.S. Senator Waggaman was killed here. On one Sunday in 1837, ten duels were fought under these old trees. METARIE RIDGE THE DUELING GROUNDS |
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 Photo Copyright © Shauna Williams |
| The Live Oaks have a history of
their own. Along the banks of the Metairie these Oaks have
survived for hundreds of years. Many of the oaks have a
circumference of 30 to 40 feet The Spanish Moss draped limbs of these
magnificent oak trees reach out as wide as they are tall. Sculpture like
trees in which know two are alike. Many of these today have names. The
McDonogh Oak, Dueling and Suicide Oaks are among the remnants of this
ancient forest that started long before Iberville and Bienville first
scouted the area for a site to build the city and port that became New
Orleans. In the nineteen century, many disputes were settled under the
Oaks. A FEW OF THE DUELS OCCURING IN NEW ORLEANS Fatal Duel—New Orleans papers state that a duel was fought in that city on the 29th ult between Hon. A. W Pichot, Judge of the Parish o£ Assumption, and Robert C. Martin Esq., in which the former was instantly killed the first shot. The quarrel arose out of an. excitement arising from the appointment of Judge Pichot. He was a man of high standing and had been for several years a member of the state Legislature. Vermont Watchman and State Journal, (Montpelier, VT) Monday, May 23, 1842  The New Orleans Duel. A duel was fought on Saturday, the 12th, between Dr. Thomas Hunt and J. W. Frost, of the New Orleans Crescent, in which the latter was killed, having received a ball through his heart. The weapons used were guns. The difficulty which led to this fatal result originated at a meeting of the Whigs of the second district of Louisiana for the selection of a candidate for Congress. The competitors for the nomination are Col. Theodore T. Hunt and ex-Alderman Isaac N.Marks It appears that Col. Hunt was an active member of the old Clay party, but when the Taylor administration came into power he retired for a while from the political ranks, not wishing to work for the party as it stood at that time. Later he had re-entered the arena, and offered himself as a candidate for Congress in opposition to ex-Aid. Isaac N. Marks, the candidate of the other branch of the Whig party. The Hunt men called a meeting for the 7th, in order to elect delegates to the nominating Convention, and as-in usual at primary meetings, they printed their list of delegates beforehand. The Marks party, headed by Mr. Marks himself, attended, but did not bring any tickets, contenting themselves with scratching those of the, Hunt party, and denouncing the whole affair as a "packed jury." Resolutions were read, and Mr. Marks endeavored to speak on them, but was immediately hissed down. Even the good, words of Col. Hunt, who was perfectly willing he should speak, could not get him a hearing; and after a great deal of "noise and confusion' the Marks party took themselves off, and the Hunt delegates were elected by a very large majority. The Marks men, however, on going out, formed a meeting in the street, and Mr. Marks, elevating himself upon a door-way, spoke for some time of his opponents and the Hunt meeting in on very handsome terms. When he ceased, there was aloud call for Mr. J. W. Frost, one of the Editors of the Crescent, which paper had been excessively severe on Col. Hunt. In the course of his speech Mr. Frost made the following remarks: "I respond with pleasure to your call, because I believe that you feel as I feel, that a gross fraud has been practiced upon us and upon the Whig party, this night, by the proceedings to which you have been a witness. The call to that meeting was got up—by whom? By a set of men determined, not upon advancing Whig principles by honorable means, not up- on selecting a candidate, who, for ability, and his high character and position, would be a fair exponent of our party principles and party character; but men, devoted to the interests of a particular family, who are the self-constituted dictators of the party, and assume the right of acting for us on all occasions. "I had always thought that discussion had been not only admissible but desirable, where men meet for deliberation on grave affairs but it seems that certain men have discovered a nearer road to truth than reasoning and argument. But this acting without deliberation, which was forced upon the assembly, what was it? Why, for days, one of the candidates and his brothers had gone about the town, visiting every obscure nook and corner, soliciting support for this nomination, and this had been done in a clandestine manner, with a view to lull to sleep any suspicion which another candidate might have of the object. In this way it was perfectly easy to pack a meeting favorable to the views of any man who would descend to such meanness. Had Mr. Marks brought his family influence to bear upon this meeting, it is highly probable he could have out-numbered the opposite candidate. Mr. Marks gentlemen, (he is known to you,) had nine brothers, and all white at that. [Laughter, and cries of "Where is brother Randall " What is it that you, gentlemen, and I are contending for? Why, simply, for a full, fair and honest expression of preference for the Whig candidate in the coming Congressional election. We want that instead of meetings to be held on three different nights, in three different districts, that meetings should be held in the different wards, and all on the same night. This would have defeated all trickery, and secured a full, tree and fair expression of the feeling of the Whig party, so far as their preference for a candidate was concerned. It was a matter in which every Whig should and did feel an interest. When they find that a candidate has been foisted upon them, without consulting their wishes—when a candidate has been put up for their suffrages by little electioneering arts, will they come to the polls with manly resolution becoming Whigs?" Will they be eager to solicit votes for a candidate not of their own full and free choice, and against whom they may personally have many objections? Is there in the expression of these sentiments anything with which any national man, any genuine Republican, not to say independent Whig, can find fault? We all confess that the majority should prevail, but has that majority been heard to night? Are you willing to support a candidate nominated by a Convention so constituted? (Loud cries of No, no—we repudiate.") In the course of his speech Mr. Frost was interrupted by a voice from the crowd, which proved to be that of Dr. Hunt, "You are a d—d liar." Mr. Frost, at the conclusion of his speech, in alluding to this interruption, said he could not resent an insult offered by one from a crowd, but if he had said any thing offensive to the Hunts, he held himself personally responsible. In the sequel, as it has been seen, he was held responsible, a challenge was sent by Dr. Thos Hunt, and accepted, and Mr. Frost was shot dead. Mr. Frost, we see it stated, was from Bangor, Me. The Daily Ohio Statesman, Saturday, July 26, 1851 New Orleans, May 22, 1856 - Messrs Estlin & Cuddy, merchants of this city, fought a duel yesterday morning at Pass Christian. The New York Herald, (New York, NY) Friday, May 23, 1856; From the N. 0. Delta, 20tb. The New Orleans Duel A hostile meeting took place yesterday at the "Oaks" Near the Half-Way House between Mr. Joseph Hanlon, reporter of the true Delta and Mr. Israel Gibbons, Reporter of the Crescent The weapons used were dueling pistols distance twelve paces. At the first fire Mr. Gibbons received the ball of his adversary In the breast and was caught by his seconds as he fell. Upon examination it was found that the wound was extremely dangerous, and it was thought advisable not to move him from the ground. We, however learned that he was subsequently removed, Mr. Hanlon escaped uninjured, the ball of his adversary cutting his coat. , The difficulty, we learned, grew out of some t compositions which were read before the Girls High School last week, and which were published in the True Delta last Sunday. It appears that Mr. Hanlon obtained them for publication in a manner which called for some remarks from Mr. Gibbons which the former considered insulting and which after some correspondence let to a challenge from Mr. Hanlon. The parties hither to have been friends. When we last heard from Mr. Gibbons it was feared he could not survive. Since the above was in type we have learned that there is reason to suppose that Mr. Gibbons will recover. Daily Missouri Republican, (St. Louis, MO) Friday, July 09, 1858 The Last New Orleans Duel__ The New Orleans Picayune of March 23th, says: An affair of honor took place this morning, about five miles beyond the Half-way House, between Mr. Ostermann, the lessee of the National theatre and Mr. Oerster, the editor of the New Orleans German Gazette, All the parties were German, of gentle birth, highly educated, and moving the best German society. The weapons used were revolvers and the distance 15 paces. To each, however, was reserved the right to advance five paces, which would have left but five paces between them. But to their credit, be it said, neither of them advanced beyond the first line. Three show were fired by each party. The first fire was almost simultaneous Each leisurely and deliberately placed his pistol in the palm of the left hand, cocked it and fired again. This was repeated, and the third shot fired. Mr. Oerster staggered and fell. On examination it was ascertained that the ball had entered near the fourth rib, and ranged upwards back of the shoulder blade. The wound is a very dangerous one, but is not considered necessarily mortal. The difficulty in which this affair originated, like most affairs of the kind, concerned a lady and has been common talk for many days, and every night the German theatre has been crowded with people to hear it The Helen in this case we understand was Miss Febringer whose acting and singing at the National have been so much admired all the season. The lucky Paris is said to have been Mr. Ostermann, while Mr. Oerster was like Menalaus, left out in the cold. Between him and Miss Febringer sharp things have night and morning passed the songstress singing ditties very unpleasant to the editor's ear. and he criticizing her singing and character. Mr. Ostermann also took part in the affair and was the challenger. Mr. Oester accepted the challenge and selected Baron de Bulow as his second. Mr. Oestermann appointed Mr. Reimer to act on his behalf. Col. Schmeeling was chosen as umpire. A large number of spectators were on the ground when the duel took place and all took place in high terms of the high-toned coolness and bravery of those engaged in the affair. Mr. Ostermann escaped entirely unhurt. Daily Evening Bulletin, (San Francisco, CA) Tuesday, May 07, 1867; VICTIMS OF HONOR. The Late New Orleans Duel— One of the Principals the Man who Killed Mr. Kane Twenty-three Years Ago — An Account of the Affair. The practice of dueling, which was imagined had gone out of vogue in this community, seems to be reviving. Several of these affairs have lately come off, which have been conducted in the old spirit, and according to he regulations prescribed by the code of honor, so called. That between Mr. Leldurie the young Creole, and Mr. Leonard Sewell, an English gentleman, which occurred on Thursday at the Metairie Ridge, was an affair in which both parties demeaned themselves with remarkable self-possession and a strict observance of the courtesies and proprieties of the ''institution." What gives additional interest to the affair is, that Mr. Sewell, the gentleman who was wounded, is the same who figured some twenty three years ago in an unfortunate duel, for the result of which, however, he was entirely blameless. Some years afterward, having received a legacy from a relative in England, on the condition of adopting the family name of the testator, Mr.; Sewell adopted his present name in place of that of Hyman, by which he was formerly known. The incidents of the duel referred to are of so interesting a character, and serve so forcibly to illustrate the abuse and evil of the custom, that we have thought it not irrelevant or improper, to publish the following sketch, furnished to us by a gentleman who has kept a record of such occurrences in New Orleans during the last thirty years. The sketch we publish, with many others, constitutes a volume bearing the appropriate title of the caption of this article. " The Kentucky Lawyer and The English Isralite" An affair originating at a ball, in a manner quite similar to that of a quarrel we have just related occurred in the year 1846 with much more serious and lamentable results. Thomas Kane was a young lawyer from Louisville Kentucky, who had settled in New Orleans, some five or six years before and had engaged in the practice of law with as bright prospects as had ever before encouraged the struggles of a youthful aspirant for forensic and judicial renown. He had been a favorite, and a pet of numerous relatives and friends in Kentucky, and had attracted and engaged the general admiration of all who had watched his career and remarked his splendid gifts of mind and person. At school and college he had taken the highest honors, and when he embarked in his profession, it was believed that no young man in the Southwest commenced his career with greater advantages and a larger circle of friends. He possessed a rare combination of the most elegant person and polished manners, a quick and broad intellect with great industry, and the power of study and application, elegance and form, Thomas Kane was as near an Antonius as we have ever seen in real life. His face was as beautiful as the most lovely woman, and yet by know means in feature or effeminate or expression. His figure was tall, commanding and symmetrical Dressing always with good taste, he could appear in no assembly without attracting general attention and admiration. Ambitious and preserving ,young Kane quickly secured a high position at the bar and drew around him a large and valuable clientele. Those, however that were intimate with Kane and who closely observed his deportment, quickly discovered a flaw in his character, which give his friends and admirers great anxiety. This flaw was pride and hauteur, qualities which stand greatly in the way of a lawyer's success. There is no profession in which self-command, good temper, and a calm and equable restraint of pride and passion, are more useful than in the lawyer. Kane's pride frequently exhibited itself in a manner which gave his adversary a great advantage over him. It was the weak link or scale in the otherwise bright and impervious armor of an accomplished and complete chevalier. The quick- eyed antagonist was certain to aim at this exposed point. It was this weakness which led many persons to regard him as overbearing, self-sufficient, and domineering, and to prophecy some unhappy consequence from the indulgence in a quality which was. generally regarded in New Orleans as ominous of a brief career and au unhappy end. The subjects of consumption, heart disease, or kidney disorders, might be Quito as safely insured in any of the life insurance companies, as the young man of haughty bearing and imperious address, who came to New Orleans to engage in the active affairs of life. The city has indeed been a grave-yard of that class of persons, many of whom have left their distant homes on account of some manifestation of ill-temper, who think it essential that they should advertise themselves at the commencement of their career by some display of prowess and courage. Some are too impatient in this. It was rarely necessary to be precipitate and hasty in seeking the opportunity for such display of manhood. It might be pretty surely calculated to come in proper time to any young man engaged in active pursuits. The worst result of an early premature exhibition of the valorous tendencies of a new comer was the certainty that it would be regarded as and advertisement, a notification in the nature of a menace to a class of men who deem themselves the legitimate and authorized expanders and illustrators of the code of honor. It would be a proclamation of a new intruder into the magic circle of the professional duelist, who's qualifications must be thoroughly tested a standing challenge in fact to the whole class. Hence one duel generally provoked others unless the party was prudent as O'Connell and recorded his vow in heaven never again to fight. But to our Story---- Among other favors which providence had so liberally showered upon the gifted and prosperous young Kane, not the least brilliant and felicitous was the success of his addresses to one of Kentucky's most famous belles. This lady had had many admirers, and had rejected many splendid offers. It was, however, a proof of her good sense and taste that she bestowed her smiles and preference upon the handsome, brilliant, and solid young lawyer from her native state. They were regarded as affianced, and when the lady made her usual season in New Orleans, and attended the brilliant assemblies, this magnificent pair were the cynosure of all eyes, the observed of all observers. Kentucky manhood and beauty were never more worthily represented than by this graceful and elegant couple. It was at one of the unequalled balls at the St. Charles Theater that the young Kane and his affiance were specially brilliant. It was a grand assembly of grace,, fashion and. gaiety. 'The crowd was very great, so as to circumscribe and embarrass the Walters and dancers, and produce various collisions. Now it happened that a vacancy occurred in a quadrille; a young Englishman, named Hyman, with a fair daughter of Israel, claimed aid occupied it, and was about to commence the dance, when Kane advanced with his partner and requested the Englishman to yield the place, But the latter stoutly persisted, and maintained his position. Hard words passed, and the proud and passionate young Kentuckian led his partner to a seat, and then taking his position near the quadrille from which he had been excluded, waited until the dance was over, he then walked up to his successful rival for the small honor of a place in a quadrille, tapped him on the shoulder, and requested him to accompany him into the hall. Hyman obeyed. When they reached the hall, Kane, asking him what he meant by intruding himself into a place which he had selected, scarcely waited for an answer before he slapped the Englishman violently in the face. The parties then separated. The incident was soon noised abroad, and the friends of both parties collected around them. The next day a challenge was delivered to Kane at an early hour. His more reflecting and considerate friends—and he had a large number—did not hesitate to condemn and deplore his act, and to counsel an apology. But, of course, there were high-spirited Kentuckians who took a very different view, and regarded the character of their chivalric State as involved in the proper adjustment of this affair, according to the code. The idea of a Kentuckian of proud spirit, distinguished connections, and conspicuous position, apologizing to an English Israelite, even if he were wrong, was not to be imagined. Besides, a challenge had been Sent, and who could apologize at the muzzle of a pistol, or the point of a sword ? There must be a fight, and the arrangements were made to make it a signal and impressive exhibition of Kentucky gallantry. Intense interest was felt throughout the community in regard to the issue of the affair, especially among the ladies, who were warm admirers of the talented young Kentuckian. The Bayou road was selected for the meeting. About sunrise the parties were on the ground Kane was accompanied by several prominent members of the bar and assisted by gentlemen of great experience and skill in such affairs. Hyman had only his seconds and surgeon. The duel was fought on the usual terms: Pistols, ten paces; the parties to fire before the word three. The combatants were both remarkably cool and self-possessed. The Englishman wore a serious and anxious expression; his face was pale, but his bright, black eye was steady and his step firm. Kane, on the other hand, was the very picture of a hero— a Chevalier Bayard. His handsome face glowed with pride and confidence in his own manhood, and his lips curled with a lofty contempt and scorn of his adversary. His piercing and fierce gray eyes fairly glistened beneath the long lashes which shaded them, and wore fixed upon his presumptuous foe with deadly and defiant purpose and resolve. At the word, both parties fired together without effect. It was a great relief to the anxious friends of young Kane to see him standing firm and unhurt in his position, and that the affair would close so harmoniously. They advanced to him and congratulated him on his escape. A sigh of relief escaped from every bosom present when it was known that no promising and gifted a young man had attested his spirit and manhood without injury. The reply and the accompanying expression of the countenance of young Kane to his congratulating friends produced a sad relapse of feeling on their part. ''Oh, no, gentlemen this affair cannot end here. I did not come out for mere form We must have another shot!" , It was in vain his friends remonstrated, protesting that the challenging party was satisfied and would retire from the ground. Kane had but one answer to these remonstrance's—"he was not to be bullied by an Englishman; there must be another shot.' So unreasonable a proposition from so clear an intellect struck his friends with astonishment and alarm. Meantime, however, Hyman and his friends remained in silence, contemplating the group of Kane's friends, and comprehending the character of the discussion among them. It was evident to the experienced seconds of the Englishman that if their principal was retired under such circumstances it would reflect upon him and give an unfavorable complexion to the affair. No response having, therefore, been given to their intimation that their principal was satisfied, they had no other alternative but to load up and resume their hostile attitudes. With ominous silence, therefore, the parties prepared for a second shot. It was afterwards complained. and the point was much discussed in fashionable circles that the seconds did not then interfere and with the authority which according to the code attached to them forbid the further progress of the affair. Hyman was the injured and insulted party and when his friends declared that he was satisfied there was no excuse whatever for a second shot. The apology afterwards set up for this delinquency on their part, that their principal insisted upon another shot, "was never deemed satisfactory by the strict constructionists of the code, one of the rules of which recognizes the principal as the passive instrument of. the seconds, and under their absolute control. There was too much reason to suspect that the friends of Kane sympathized in the unreasonable passion and pride which prompted him to exceed the demands of the duel, on account of the nationality of his adversary. Prejudice prompted them to reject the application of the equitable rules of the code under the circumstances. The parties were again posted with their pistols in hand.' There was a long pause, as if the second who was to give the word was palsied by the premonition of a melancholy result, or was restrained by some doubt, as he might well have been, of the propriety of the act he was about to direct. The antagonists, during the pause, held their breath in the intensity of their gaze at each other. At last the words rang out quickly and nervously, One---two----three----Both parties fired together. Hyman stood firm unmoved the ball of his antagonist brushing his right whisker. Kane reeled and fell. His surgeon rushed to him in time to catch him in his arms, and gently laid him on the ground. The blood gushed copiously from his neck and poured in a stream, staining the fresh grass for several feet around. His wound was examined, and his surgeon shook his head sadly to the friends who had gathered around the prostrate but graceful form of the brave and accomplished young Kentuckian. A main artery had been severed. No art of the most accomplished surgeon could arrest the hemorrhage. He was borne to a carriage, and died on his way to the city. The sad news was soon diffused through the community, and produced a deep and wide-spread melancholy. Thus fell as handsome, gallant, and talented a young gentleman as ever passed the threshold of manhood, full of brilliant promise.—New Orleans Times. Milwaukee Daily Sentinel, (Milwaukee, WI) Thursday, April 01, 1869; Issue 76 NEW ORLEANS DUEL Tue circumstances which led lo the recent New Orleans duel, indicate. that both parties were about equally responsible for the provocation of words which occasioned the hostile meeting. Judge Cooley needlessly invited the challenge that resulted in his death, and the editor ot the Picayune had no need to resort to deadly weapons in defense of his honor. No doubt the murdered man felt entirely satisfied with the result of the affair, and it now remains to satisfy law and justice by the prompt punishment of the murderer. It is not necessary at this time of day, to argue the brutal and criminal character of the code of honor. It is indicative of neither manliness nor courage, and it is happily falling into disrepute even at the South. Tho New Orleans affair will doubtless have the effect to intensify the feeling against this relic of barbarism, and the New Orleans authorities now have an opportunity, which it is to be hoped they will improve, of effectually suppressing the murderous business of duelling, by treating the surviving party in the recent duel as any other murderer would be treated. Milwaukee Daily Sentinel, (Milwaukee, WI) Thursday, July 03, 1873; pg. 4; Issue 158 Judge Wm, H. Cooley, killed by R, Barnwell Rhett, Jr., in the late New Orleans duel, was considered one of the best story-tellers in Louisiana; and he exercised his talent to a wide circle of admiring: friends. On bis way to the fatal ground, the morning of the meeting, he kept those with him in the railway train in continual roars of laughter—a merry preamble, indeed, to a sbooking tragedy. The Daily Graphic : An Illustrated Evening Newspaper, (New York, NY) Saturday, August 02, 1873 New Orleans, La,, May 29.—A duel was fought today on Metairie Ridge between two Creoles, A. Guillotte and A. B. Pizeros. Tho weapons were pistols: distance, ten paces; fire at will, and advance. Guillotte fired at the word, shooting Pizeros through the side, near the heart.
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